Although it is a fact that customers are always right, you do have to distinguish between when to give in and when not to. Always surrendering to what your customers want is not good for your business. You have to draw the line.
You will do better business when you know how to stand your ground on some important decisions and issues. Also, trying to save the customers from themselves will show how you are looking after their welfare. At the same time, you are showing how professional you are while saving your business and reputation.
You will also develop a better and lasting relationship with your customers once you show them that you are not after your own gain but for their own good.
Take note of all your customers. Do they play a significant role in your business? Are they the ones that you know your business cannot do without?
Or are they the ones who are merely wasting all your time and resources? Does all your hard work pay off in the end?
These are the questions who should ask yourself before retaining or dumping some of your customers. But then you can always turn your worst customers to the best kind you will ever have. How? By disciplining them in the most subtle yet strict way.
For example, for those who are constantly in need of your services but are not really paying that well. Try to put them on a cash first basis. When they want their printing job done, they should shed some payment first. This will prevent you from chasing down checks once your services are finished.
When they still do not succumb to this, then that is the time for you to suggest they take their printing projects somewhere else. It will not be a major loss to you since you are probably losing more when you are supposed to be gaining.
Besides, you have given them every opportunity and understanding you can even muster. In time, when they go to you again for their printing needs, be the professional that you are and give them another chance.
